Honda 400 Hawk (automatic). 1 mile in and closed the throttle. Scared me to death as it did not stop(no engine brake) took it back instantly!:Wtf:
Sorry coz you aint going to like this but took an 1199 for a quick spin from IMO the best Ducati dealer down south and it just felt too harsh and unforgiving but then I am an old git now.The motor was nuclear but bought nuclear with comfort instead.
749s crashed damaged from track day. Hadn't ridden for 10 years. NO test drive. Just handed the cash to Pro Twins. That was April. STILL trying to wipe the 'big grin' off my face.....
Booked a test ride on a diavel. Turned up and cancelled as I just couldn't bring myself to even sling a leg over. Decided I might not be able to enjoy the sports bike position (life changing arm injury), but I wasn't ready to put a hanky around my forehead, sling on a tassled leather jacket and ride at 40mph into the sunset. Years ago took out the Honda blackbird near Oxford and returned in after 10mins. The 10year old 1000rx I rode there was better planted and felt quicker. Same day took a Hayabusa from PH to Brighton, slightly longer journey than allowed Loved it, but swmbo hated the pillion position.
I think some of the poor quality test rides could be sorted by dealers setting the suspension correctly. (On adjustable units, obviously.) I've now had 2 bikes go from good to excellent with just a twiddle on the knobs and nothing else. I'm not convinced most bike dealers have the ability to set a bike to anything other than factory settings. Before you tell me that suspension is based on rider blah, blah; you're right, but the bike still needs to rise and fall equally as a minimum, with adjustment around that base setting. The R1's factory recommended settings for rebound and compression were crap. On both occasions that I've had my suspension set and been very, very happy with the result I haven't even sat on the bike. The spanner man just bounced each end and twiddled to get things balanced.
I've had three test rides from Riders in Cardiff, but I did buy a hypermotard from them back in 2009 without riding it. 848 evo, 848 streetfighter and 899 all unaccompanied and for over half hour. Actually the first 848 they let me take with my mate tagging along on his gsxr and they weren't bothered.
Never test ridden anything in my life. Just see something, think "yup....I like that" and buy it.... It's the way I am I suppose... Decide it's right and that's it.... Eg, Never been house hunting in our lives.... Last house was our first. For sale down the road from where I was renting... Looked round and bought it..... House were in now is our second, for sale opposite the mother in law's.... And it's great for babysitting duties also!
